Labor MP accused of bullying her workers told a staffer to 'do the dishes to learn about white male privilege'

  • Labor politician Emma Husar is accused of bullying by former electorate staff
  • Federal backbencher has vehemently denied a string of accusations about her 
  • New South Wales Labor is independently investigating the member for Lindsay  

An embattled Labor backbencher has been accused of telling a man working in her electorate office to do the dishes to 'learn about white male privilege'.

Emma Husar, the first-term federal member for Lindsay in Sydney's outer-west, is already facing a string of bullying allegations from her former staff, which she has strongly denied.

A former male staffer has claimed to Sky News he was instructed to do the dishes to learn about his 'white male privilege'.

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A Labor MP (pictured left with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten) has been accused of telling a man working in her electorate office to do the dishes to 'learn about white male privilege'

A Labor MP (pictured left with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten) has been accused of telling a man working in her electorate office to do the dishes to 'learn about white male privilege'

The latest allegation came after BuzzFeed revealed the New South Wales branch of the Labor Party had been investigating Ms Husar since March, looking into allegations of bullying harassment, verbal intimidation and misusing staff.

One former staff member alleged to the website that Husar had called them 'c***s' and 'f***wits'.

Others have reportedly accused her of making her staff babysit her children during and outside work hours and walk her dog.

Her Penrith electorate office has also seen a high turnover of staff since she won her marginal seat at the July 2016 elections, with 20 people resigning during the past two years.

Emma Husar, the first-term federal member for Lindsay in Sydney's outer-west, is already facing a string of bullying allegations from her former staff, which she has strongly denied

Emma Husar, the first-term federal member for Lindsay in Sydney's outer-west, is already facing a string of bullying allegations from her former staff, which she has strongly denied

Ms Husar, who hails from Labor's right faction, has vehemently denied the allegations levelled against her but did not specifically refute individual claims

Ms Husar, who hails from Labor's right faction, has vehemently denied the allegations levelled against her but did not specifically refute individual claims

Ms Husar, who hails from Labor's right faction, has vehemently denied the allegations leveled against her but did not specifically refute individual claims.

'The assertions that have been made do not reflect who I am or how my office operates,' she said in a statement sent from Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's office late today.

'I was horrified to learn that complaints have been made. At no time has any staff member raised these issues with me.' 

Ms Husar said her office was a 'professional and respectful workplace'. 

'I am a single mum with three children, working hard and doing my best. If I have let anyone down, I apologise,' she said.

The Labor Party's NSW branch confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an independent investigation was underway into Emma Husar (pictured)

The Labor Party's NSW branch confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an independent investigation was underway into Emma Husar (pictured)

'I respect and am cooperating with the independent process that is underway, and will not be commenting any further.' 

Senior federal Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese, who was raised by a single mother, praised Ms Husar, who has spoken in parliament about the struggles of raising an autistic son. 

'What I know about Emma Husar is that she's a single mum, works incredibly hard, represents her electorate very strongly,' he told Nine Network today.

'I find her a terrific person to deal with. I find her a very good local member of parliament.'

Senior federal cabinet minister Christopher Pyne said any investigation should be allowed to run its course.

'I'm not obviously privy to what these complaints are and I think you'd be unwise to comment on them unless you have all the facts,' he told the Nine Network.

The Labor Party's NSW branch confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that an independent investigation was underway.

'The ALP has an independent process for assessing complaints,' a spokesman from Essential Media Communications said.

'The independent process also provides advice to the party on what action, if any, is necessary in response.

'The process is mindful to provide protection to the complainant and also procedural fairness to the subject of the complaint.'

Ms Husar, who won Lindsay in 2016 with a four per cent swing, previously worked in the electorate office of Labor frontbencher Ed Husic.   

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